Special Helpers of the Day

I'm sure you've experienced too much stuff to do and not enough you to get it all done. Having classroom jobs is a big help and I do that, but I wanted to be sure that I was developing special time with each child on a regular basis.

I use my class roster and take the first two students on the first day and they're special helpers for the day. Some of the jobs I reserve for my special helpers are GET-TOs for them, but THANK YOUs for me… I don't include these in classroom jobs assigned because they're so coveted by students that I wanted them a little more special…we don't have arguments about who leads the line, who counts up & sets up lunch cards (our school's system) in the cafeteria, who gets to have carry our points binder to specialists (and back), who watches for hands as we review student behavior (Make Your Day), who "gets" to bring this or that to the lost and found, etc…

 Special helpers also get to use the class iPad (got with a grant) to do Listen to Reading (Daily 5) and have a friend join them, sometimes stay in at recess with a friend, get a special invite to have lunch with me (and a friend) at least twice per year (I keep track), or use the classroom computer to practice math facts.

I am immensely appreciative of my special helpers. These darling children help me in so many ways… just posting about this is a humbling moment… I love my Sweeties… my lifesavers.

Conference Week Preparation

For the longest time, I did a bunch of gathering of evidence for my students for conference week, but never really felt like I had a good tool to use to guide the conference nor to help the parents. I typically had a notepad and a pen set at the place I designated for the parent to sit, but very few of them wrote anything. I saw a need and therein was born this tool. I developed this tool to meet both my needs and as a take-away for parents. I still gather the appropriate evidence I need, but I fill out this form and make a copy for the parents to be able to follow-up at home with what was discussed. Each year, I revisit it and see which areas need revision (the newest revision incorporates a behavior list from our first grade team-- serious behavior challenges in my room this year).

  

Looping Slideshow for Expectations

To be sure that we're off to a good start, I use a looping PowerPoint on the LCD projector for students to refer to and be sure they're on track. I use it daily toward the beginning of the year and then 1-2x/week as the year goes on. The slides change each day depending on what the needs are. Here's a basic template I've used in the past and I have several others. This is a great way for me to state expectations clearly while allowing students the opportunity to continue to refer to during their work time.